5 Things I’m Thinking About Before Moving to a Plant Based Diet*

At the start of 2020 (before things went array and simply surviving was the most important aspect of my life), I made a promise to myself I would look towards a plant based diet.

In the past I was someone who turned their nose up at the word “vegan” it made me think of the cardboard like food I used to serve as a waitress and the piles and piles of green leaves with no ranch dressing! Although I’d done a good stint as a veggie in my teens, vegan just didn’t seem like it was for me. However, after doing my own research and keeping an eye out at the supermarkets and noticing the growing plant based food sections, as well as a lot of well know food chains also offering tasty plant based meals, I feel I’m ready to slowly inch my way into the world of veganism.

So here are 5 things I’m thinking about before I make the transition;

Not Going Vegan All At Once

This isn’t an overnight transformation. I’m not going to wake up tomorrow and be a vegan. For starters I think I’m more likely to view it as a fad if I did this. I’d get bored after a few weeks and give it up. I’ve decided I’m going to start introducing plant based food into my diet and figure out what I do and don’t like. So far I’ve swapped out regular frozen food products for plant based alternatives such as chicken burgers, sausages and even meatballs. By doing this I also also test to see what my daughter likes and doesn’t like without even telling her. Next I want to try and cook a few meals I like with plant based alternatives.

At 16, my biggest problem with being a vegetarian was that I didn’t like enough meat free meals, and back then there wasn’t many nice plant based alternatives. I ended up getting pretty sick and obsessive over it and it the end I was advised by a nutritionist to give it up. I don’t want to make this mistake again, and I certainly don’t want my daughter to struggle with a limited diet should she make the choice to eat plant based too.

Look Into Nutrition Testing

This leads directly to my next point. If I choose to change my diet, I want it to stick and I do not want to end up sick again. Thankfully, a company in the US have developed an online lab testing service that offers comprehensive packages tailored especially for people considering moving to a plant based diet. Healthlabs really are paving the way to discovering what your body could be lacking if you decide to go vegan. Yes, the benefits for the planet and even your body may out weigh any negative effects, but there are still certain vitamins the human body needs that you mainly get from animal products.

There are two branches of tests available from Healthlabs especially designed for vegans, or those considering becoming vegan in mind. The first is for maintaining a healthy diet and it checks for the most common nutrient deficiencies vegans encounter. Once you know what your body is lacking you can work to fix it.

The second set of tests are for those considering making the move because they feel that eating meat or dairy has a negative impact on their body. The “Should You Be Vegan?” test comes in three test levels; basic, standard and comprehensive. It checks for common animal derived food allergies and help you decide if a vegan diet would work for you.+

Healthlabs also have a selection of specific vitamin and nutritional deficiancies tests available if you are concerned about lacking in anything which I think is a fantastic service that I hope I can eventually see rolled out in the UK. Believe me, going through the NHS for this kind of testing is a minefield, it took me almost a year to get tested for dust allergies!

If you’re in the US I have a discount coupon for Healthlabs, you can add it to your basket by following the link.

Getting Into The Habit of Reading Food Labels

This is something I need to get into the habit of doing now before I make the switch as it’s not something I naturally do in store. I need to start reading food labels or pre-made products. A lot of food products often have hidden animal byproducts in them and although they might appear safe for vegans to eat, they’re really not. This is a lot of products you wouldn’t expect such as cereal bars, granola and even some breads. I’ve read stories about crisps that have veggie flavouring actually contain animal byproducts, looking at you cheese & onion!

And not only do I need to get into the habit of looking at food labels, but I also need to train my brain to shut off and reach for a handful of jelly sweets whenever I’m at my grans. So often I find myself eating things without even thinking so when I first make a more deliberate move to plant based, I need to be more conscious of my eating habits.

I also really need to work on finding a milk substitute I actually like..

Try to Explore Plant Based Options At Restaurants

For me, making the switch to a plant based diet is all about being prepared. I don’t want to shock my body by taking a way a lot of the comforts it’s been used to for the past 30 odd years. I just want to slowly introduce foods and a way of eating that is better for me, but also a diet that I enjoy eating. I eat out a lot, it’s something I enjoy doing with my family so I think it’s important that I find something I want to eat at all our favourite restaurants.

I’m going to try and view this as a fun challenge and I think it’ll help me decide what I do and don’t like in the world of plant based. I think with veganism on the rise, a lot of restaurants are actively working on creating delicious dishes that are animal product free. So far I’ve found out I actually love Greggs vegan sausage roll even more than the original so that’s something.

Prepare Myself For The Questions with Informed Answers

If you’re going to make a change in your life, you’re going to get questions and comments, both good and bad. I think the important thing to do is make sure you have informed answers and arguments. A lot of people still have a negative opinion towards plant based diets and get defensive when you challenge what they believe. Although I’m not going to be preachy, I think it’s important that you state that you’re doing what works for you and what you feel is right for your family. I know my daughter, I know her personal beliefs and her love of animals and I want to support her in this transition by doing it myself.